Some cocktails whisper. The Dalgona Old Fashioned announces itself. It is the boldest expression of our “Liquid Luxury” philosophy at Apex Aqua Vitae — a dessert, a nightcap and a classic reimagined in one deeply satisfying glass. If you love the backbone of a great Old Fashioned but crave something richer, this is the pour we steer Apex regulars toward first.
What is in the Dalgona Old Fashioned?
We build this signature on Larceny Bourbon, a wheated whiskey chosen for its soft, caramel-forward sweetness. Frangelico adds toasted hazelnut, biscotti brings a warm almond-cookie note, and our house Noir Bitters lace everything with dark, bittersweet depth. The finishing move is theatrical: a cloud of hand-whipped Dalgona coffee crowned with chocolate shavings, the viral Korean coffee technique borrowed for the bar.
The result is boozy and bold by design. The bourbon never disappears under the sweetness; instead the coffee foam and chocolate frame it the way cream frames espresso, leaving a long, dessert-like finish that still drinks like a proper stirred cocktail.
Who should order it
Order the Dalgona Old Fashioned if you are an Old Fashioned drinker looking to be surprised, a coffee lover who wants a grown-up after-dinner drink, or simply someone celebrating in Apex who wants a glass that photographs as beautifully as it tastes. It sits comfortably beside our other handcrafted signatures, but it is the one guests most often come back for by name.
It also pairs neatly with our small plates — the Charcuterie Board or the Cheese & Crackers Platter cut through the richness and stretch the experience into a full evening.
The story behind the drink
The Dalgona craze began as a viral phenomenon — endlessly whipped instant coffee spooned over milk. Our bar team saw something else in it: the perfect textural crown for a stirred whiskey classic. Marrying that airy coffee cloud to a wheated Old Fashioned took real trial and error, and the payoff is a cocktail that feels both of-the-moment and timeless.
It is the kind of creative, ingredient-driven thinking that runs through our entire signature list at Apex Aqua Vitae. If you enjoy the coffee-and-whiskey interplay here, ask your bartender about our other after-dinner recommendations — there is always something worth lingering over in Apex.
Good to know
- Bar: Apex Aqua Vitae — Liquid Luxury & Bar
- Category: Signature Cocktails
- Where: Apex, North Carolina, in the heart of the Raleigh–Durham–Cary Triangle
- Easy to reach from: Cary, Raleigh, Morrisville and Holly Springs
- Explore or reserve: lightpink-chamois-855074.hostingersite.com/ or call 919-267-4246
- Follow along: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for new pours and events
Frequently asked questions
What bourbon is in the Dalgona Old Fashioned?
It is built on Larceny Bourbon, a wheated Kentucky whiskey, with Frangelico, biscotti, house Noir Bitters, whipped Dalgona coffee and chocolate shavings.
Is the Dalgona Old Fashioned sweet?
It is dessert-leaning and rich, but the wheated bourbon and bittersweet coffee keep it balanced rather than cloying. It reads as boozy and bold, not sugary.
Where can I try it?
At Apex Aqua Vitae in Apex, North Carolina, part of our handcrafted signature cocktail list. Reserve or ask your bartender by name.
Visit Apex Aqua Vitae — Liquid Luxury & Bar in Apex, North Carolina. Explore the full menu at lightpink-chamois-855074.hostingersite.com/ or call 919-267-4246. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Explore the full Handcrafted Cocktails section of our menu to find your signature.